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The biggest hurdle the new DC Studios was facing at the beginning was the bad hand it was dealt right before taking over. After a lengthy absence from the franchise (not counting Zack Snyder’s Justice League), Henry Cavill’s Superman returned in an unexpected place and teased a major fight. Gunn and Co. couldn’t make good on that promise, which was a tough pill for many to swallow, but it wasn’t the toughest decision they had to make.
Superman’s Beef With Black Adam Arrived at the Worst Time
In 2022, Warner Bros. was searching for a box office hit. James Gunn had just delivered a stellar Suicide Squad movie, introducing a whole new cast of characters, including Peacemaker, who would go on to get a spinoff show. However, Task Force X didn’t bring in enough dough, which meant another villain had to step to the plate with massive expectations. The Rock had been working on a Black Adam movie for years, and he was finally ready to deliver it. The titular anti-hero was going to change the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe by battling the Justice Society of America. The conflict doesn’t last forever, though, because Sabbac arrived and terrorized the people of Kahndaq. Black Adam eventually put down the villain and freed the country before agreeing to serve as its protector.
Not long after seizing control, Black Adam came face-to-face with the Man of Steel, who didn’t appreciate the way the situation in Kahndaq was handled. Superman promised to have a conversation with Black Adam in the future, but that was news to Gunn. His deal had just closed, and he told all the higher-ups that he was rebooting the character. That came to pass, and Cavill had to move on from a character that meant so much to him. But at least he got multiple opportunities to play Superman because another DC actor had to walk out of the door as soon as they finally got through it.
